Last time I'll say this. Only saying it here because the other chapter, and non-chapter dedicated to this message was deleted.

Go. Read. The News. In. My. Profile.

Please and Thank You.

Chapter 32: Alone at the HQ

Still in a large amount of pain from earlier, Jennifer sat on the bed belonging to one of Ewans partners, Team Torrent, waiting for him or one of his partners to come see her.

Jennifer had a hard time hearing anything being said by either Ewan or Isaac, who were speaking just outside the door, despite her exceptional hearing ability. She was in so much pain because of her nose she couldn't concentrate.

I hope their not leaving without me... Jennifer thought, saddened that she might miss out on an adventure with Isaac and his friends. Ever since she joined Team Valiant, she was happier then she had ever been before living with her family.

"I'm sorry Rita. I'm afraid Jennifers gotta stay here for the day, last thing we need is her bumping into something and breaking her nose again, its very..."

Oh no! They are leaving without me! Jennifer ran over to the door

"Fine, fine, Isaac, come on!"

"But I wanted to wait for..."

"NOW!"

"Just go." Said Ewan. "I'll tell Jennifer that you left for the mission, it'll be fine!"

"Ok I guess, I'm coming Rit... Oh... I'll see you Ewan, and thanks!" He ran out to join the others.

"It's no problem Isaac, good luck to you all!"

Just as Ewan turned to open the door, Jennifer beat him to it, quickly swinging the door open and then attempted to run out and catch up to Isaac and Rita. Ewan stopped her, grabbing her around the middle as she was running, and lifting her up off the ground.

"Woah there! Jennifer, you probably already heard me tell Isaac, but you can't go anywhere today, you need to stay in the HQ!"

"But. I. Don't. Wanna!" She said, kicking the Marshtomp and struggling to get free.

"Jennifer dear, don't worry about them! Just come on in and we'll get you fixed up, has your nose stopped bleeding yet?" He asked her as he placed her back on the floor.

Jennifer nodded.

"Good then, I'll go fetch some bandages, some cream to help with the healing, then you should be good to go!"

"Ok..." Jennifer sighed as Ewan closed the door. Now she was alone, in a lot of pain, and wondering what she could possibly do until Team Valiant returned.

She looked around Team Torrents room, it was practically empty. The room was larger then Team Valiants, at least four times as big. There was a lot more beds as well, sixteen total, and were much bigger and had many more pillows and blankets for each individual bed.

On the opposite side of the room was a dresser, very similar to the one Team Valiant had, only longer to fit the size of the room. On each door was a metal label telling what or whose stuff was inside. On top of the dresser was a very big television, one of the biggest Jennifer had ever seen.

Finally, there was a wall at the very far side of the room, with seventeen framed photos of pokemon, each with the name of the pokemon underneath. Curious, Jennifer went over to the wall to get a better look.

The one farthest to the left was a Marshtomp, with a gold colored tag that said "Ewan".

These must be the current members of Team Torrent. Thought Jennifer.

She looked at each picture, and read the name below it. She kept doing this until she reached the last photo, which was unique as it had not one, but three pokemon. In it was Mudkip, Squirtle and Bulbasaur, all smiling happily at the camera. Below it, the tag read, "Founding members of Team Torrent. Ewan, David, and Ivan the forty-seventh."

"Wow, how long ago was this taken?" Jennifer asked herself.

"I forget actually..." Responded Ewan, making Jennifer jump. "Oh, sorry, thought you heard me come in. Yeah, this picture was taken quite a long time ago, at least forty years."

"Forty years? I didn't even know you were that old Ewan."

Ewan laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"Who are the other two guys?"

"David and Ivan? Dave you know, hates his real name so he just has everyone call him the Captain."

"Oh." The thought of what the Captains real name was had never occurred to her.

"Ivan, the men in his family has shared that name for generations. He was the oldest of the three of us, and retired not too long ago. You might know his son though, part of some other team with an Eevee and Charmander... Never really thought to ask why they all share the same name." Ewan then suddenly swatted his forehead. "Oh, I'm sorry Jennifer, I totally forgot about your nose. Here, take this." He handed her a small, round, plastic container.

"What is it?" She asked.

"That's a cream made of berries our team uses for healing stuff, and it works wonders. I'd love to do more, but I forgot, the rest of my team is out on a mission, everyone but me."

Jennifer had nearly forgotten about her nose. It didn't hurt much anymore, but she took the cream anyways, just in case.

"Oh, and one other thing..." Added Ewan. "Your sister Eva told me someone was looking for your team, a Squirtle."

"Ok, I'll go and tell him they're all away. Thanks for the berry cream Ewan!" She said as she opened the door. Ewan said bye just as she left, and Jennifer went straight upstairs to find out about the Squirtle looking for Team Valiant.

---

"What do you want fuzzball?"

Jennifer ignored her siblings attempt to push her buttons. It was hard, because she wanted nothing more then to bounce on Evas head a couple of times.

"What's this about a Squirtle asking for Team Valiant?"

"Oh, him. Yeah, he was here about thirty minutes ago, asking for either Lloyd or that other chick."

"Rita?"

"Yeah, her. Why? Where is Team Valiant? On a mission without you?"

"Yes, they left because I broke my nose earlier, so I'm here by myself."

"Aww, poor little baby fuzzball. Well, you better go tell him they're not here then, mmm'kay?"

Jennifer began to walk away, clenching her paws into fists, doing her best to not turn around and hurt her sister.

She failed, as soon as Eva turned her back, Jennifer ran over, stomped on her sisters toes and ran off before she could do anything.

---

It was the middle of the day, the sun was bright and the air was incredibly hot. There was nothing Jennifer hated more then a hot, sunny day, she preferred rain, dark clouds, cool air...

There was very few pokemon wandering the streets, Jennifer couldn't decide if it was because of the intense heat, or the incident she had only heard about that apparently killed several pokemon only a few days ago.

Where could this Squirtle guy be? She asked herself. She looked all around but didn't see any Squirtles. She then saw that a small side street near the Brotherhood HQ was well shaded, and figured the Squirtle went there to avoid the heat while waiting for Lloyd or Rita.

She walked down the dark street, the cool air feeling good, but she still didn't feel right somehow. Something didn't feel right.

"Hello?!" She called out. "Any Squirtles here looking for Team Valiant?" Nothing, the street was empty and silent.

"Hellooooo!" She called out again. Still nothing responded.

Maybe he's not here, I better get out of here and look elsewhere.

She took one step, but stopped when she suddenly got a chill. Not a chill caused by the shade from the buildings, and strange, unnatural cold that washed over her. She looked around, thinking suddenly that she was being watched, but the street was empty except for her.

Her ears twitched, she could hear something. It was a faint whisper, nearby and quiet, but she had no problems homing in on the source and listening in.

"... And then the boss will reward us!"

"But, but... We're right outside the Brotherhood Headquarters, if we get caught..."

"Maverick is doing the exact same thing, and he got away with it earlier today no problem!"

"Ok Gastly, whatever you say, but if something does wrong I'm bolting!"

Jennifer inched closer towards the source of the voices, which seemed to come from around a corner going into an even darker ally way. "Hey!" She yelled, trying to not sound scared or nervous. "Who's there?!"

"Oh no, she's coming right towards us!"

The other voice sighed. "That's a good thing moron. Lets just do this..."

Jennifer knew now that she didn't want to stick around. She turned around and started to run back to the sunny, main street of Havok City. But she stopped half way when a pokemon appeared out of nowhere, the Gastly that was hiding around the corner. She stopped so suddenly that she fell backwards, landing hard on her back on the rocky street.

"Well, that was easier then we could have hoped. Grab her Raticate and lets scram!"

Jennifer tried to stand and run, but her arms were pinned to the ground the Raticate the Gastly mentioned. Its large rat feet nearly crushed her wrists, so much weight pushing down made it impossible for Jennifer to slip free or overpower the Raticate and get free, she was trapped.

"No what?" Asked the Raticate.

"Well we gotta... Um." Everyone was silent. "I guess we just haul her out of the city the way we got in."

"What if she screams for help?"

"We'll gag her with something. Make sure she can't make any noise."

"With what?"

More silence. Apparently, Jennifers potential kidnappers were very bad at their jobs. "We really should have prepared better." Gastly finally said.

Jennifer couldn't believe what happened next, out of nowhere, several large bubbles came and knocked into Raticate, sending him flying and freeing her arms.

"What the...!?" Gastly tried to say, but soon he was hit by the Bubble attack as well. At first she thought it was Isaac, come to save her, but she remembered that Isaac was far away. Not only that, but the bubbles looked different, much faster and there was more of them. A bubblebeam? She thought.

With both Gastly and Raticate down, she was free to get up. She saw her rescuer standing at the far end of the dark street where she had first entered, it was a Squirtle, most likely the very one she was looking for.

Without a word, both the Raticate and the Gastly got up and ran/floated away to safety. The Squirtle didn't give chase, he instead walked up the Jennifer.

"You shouldn't be wandering the streets. Even with the presence of the Brotherhood, this city has its dangers."

Jennifer didn't know what to say, she just stood there and brushed the dirt out of her fur.

"I heard you calling me, mentioned Team Valiant. Where are they?"

Jennifer got a strange feeling whenever the Squirtle spoke. A weird nostalgic feeling, as if this Squirtle was a good friend that she had not seen in a long time. And his shell, his green shell, the same unusual color as the captains shell. Were they perhaps, related?

"Do I know you, Mr. Squirtle?"

"Probably... what is your name, Buneary?"

"Jennifer."

The Squirtle stood there, had the look of someone in deep thought. "Yes... Yes! I remember you quite well, I saw you when you were only little!" He sighed. "Listen, Jennifer, I really need to know where Team Valiant is."

"Why?"

"I need to warn them, most of all Lloyd, of someone in the Brotherhood. A spy, and an impersonator."

"A spy? Who would want to spy on us?"

Squirtle pulled out a small photograph out of his shell and handed it to Jennifer. On it was a pokemon she had never seen before, light purple skin, strange shaped body... She couldn't think of a single pokemon that looked similar.

"That..." Said Squirtle. "Is Mewtwo. Nobody seems to know what his goal is, but he seems to be the source of many problems we are currently having in the wasteland. Pokemon everywhere are disappearing, being murdered by his henchmen, and most odd, creating a new variation of the Infinity Stone, which evolves pokemon for a short period of time, then drains them of all their power." Jennifer handed back the picture, Squirtle quickly slipped it back into his shell. "The reason I need to warn Lloyd is because he is one of the pokemon Mewtwo wishes to capture. Why? I don't know. All I know is that Lloyd needs to know about..."

"I think he knows already." Interrupted Jennifer.

"He knows about Mewtwo?"

"Well, I'm not sure about that, but he knows he's being hunted. In fact he's had five or six different pokemon come after him, all either get beaten by him and Team Valiant, or run off. Isaac told me all about it, he said that one of them even went as far as killing all of Isaacs village to intimidate Lloyd."

"Yes... I heard about that. Its good to know that Lloyd and his friends can take care of themselves. Now, Jennifer, I need to go and tell him what I know right now. Please, where is he."

"If I remember correctly it was some place called... The Academy?"

"Oh... That's not good."

"Why? What's wrong with him being at the Academy?"

Squirtle pulled out another thing from his shell, this time a slip of paper that looked like a long list.

"This is a list I stole from Mewtwos fortress, far to the north east of Havok City. It's a recent list of all the pokemon who are kidnappers and hunters working for Mewtwo." He showed her the list and pointed to a certain name.

Pokemon - Esme, Species - Ninetails, Status - Awaiting orders at location "Pokemon Battle Academy." Current Target - Pikachu going by the name "Lloyd"

Scribbled beside the information was something in pencil.

Like the others, has failed to capture Lloyd. This time thanks to that Celebi we captured helping him.

"Lloyd never said anything about fighting a Ninetails..."

Squirtle slipped the list back into his shell. "I have a feeling why, but I think its best he tell you, when he's ready. Right now I gotta get to the Academy and warn Team Valiant, tomorrow night I'll get them to help me rid the Brother Headquarters of this spy."

"Ok, good luck I guess."

"Oh, before I go..." He pulled out yet another slip of paper, and handed it to Jennifer.

She looked at it, it was blank.

"Hey, there's nothing written on it!"

"That's because it's a tissue, your nose is bleeding."

Jennifer reached up and touched her upper lip, while not as badly as when she first hurt it, it was dripping with blood again. Probably happened when she fell over a few moments ago.

"I'll see you later." Said the Squirtle. And then he walked out into the bright sun lit street, and was gone.

"Oh, crud, I forgot to ask his name! I just know I know him from somewhere..."

Jennifer looked around, and noticed she was once again alone in the dark side street. Not wanting to get in anymore trouble, she sprinted right out until she reached the main road.

---

Back in the safety of the Brotherhood HQ, and her room, Jennifer was pondering on what exactly to do next.

Nothing to do now... She thought. Can't do anything to active, or I might hurt myself again.

She didn't want to go get anything to eat, she wasn't hungry.

Pool? Last thing I want is to get my fur wet.

Casino? No.

Library? Boring. And I've probably read everything they've got.

Now that her exciting 'adventure' looking for that Squirtle was over, she was afraid she would spend the rest of her time bored out of her mind, waiting for Isaac and the others.

She sat in her bed for nearly an hour. Every idea that came to her was immediately shot down, she knew what she wanted to do, but it was the least possible thing of them all.

I wanna be with Isaac right now... More then anything in the world I wanna be with Isaac. I've never had these feelings before, my heart feels so strange, likes it going to just pop out of my chest!

Once she started thinking about Isaac, she couldn't stop thinking.

What about him? I wonder what he's planning as far as this relationship is, is he just dating me? Perhaps more? Maybe even have a family together? That would be wonderful! Maybe I should ask him... Ask if he plans to stay with me for a while, or forever. When he gets back, I'll ask him everything. I need to know, I need to. More then anything in the world I want to know how Isaac feels. Forget the pool and the library and all that stuff, I'm going to sit and wait for Isaac.

She leapt out of bed.

But not here, somewhere else... Outside the city. I want me to be the first thing he sees when he finally comes home, and if things go as I hope they do, he'll be so happy to see me again.

But then she saw the clock, it was already late.

He'll probably be staying at that academy place tonight, I'll go out first thing after breakfast tomorrow, and even if it takes him all day to get here, I'll be waiting.

---

The next morning, Jennifer felt great, her nose was totally pain free, and she felt totally energized.

She got out of bed, did a few stretches, and headed out of Team Valiants room and straight to the cafeteria. She ate as much as she could, and even bought a few snacks for later, she was completely stuffed and felt better then she had in her entire life.

When she went outside, the weather was great, the air was cool, the sky was clear except for a few small clouds, and the sun shined as it always did.

She walked slowly walked down the main street that went straight from the HQ to the large archway that was the most used entrance to Havok City. As she walked, many townspeople passed by, shop keepers were just starting to set up their stands, and the occasionally flying pokemon soared overhead towards its destination. A Charmander ran full speed at her...

Wait, what?

Before Jennifer could react, the Charmander crashed right into her, causing them both to fall over in the street, causing many people to stare at them for a moment.

"I'm sorry... I'm so... WAIT!" The Charmander practically screamed the last part. "Are you that Buneary from Team Valiant?!"

Jennifer nodded.

"Oh you got to help! Where is Isaac?!"

"I don't know."

"NO! YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW!"

"Hey! Hey! Calm down!"

The Charmander sounded calmer, but he certainly wasn't anywhere near what anyone would consider 'calm'.

"I got a letter, from some guy... Maverick! He said he took my team members away and said that if Isaac doesn't come... Oh man!" He said all this while chewing on one of his claws nervously."

"Listen, he should be back today, just go... do something until he gets back. I can't help you in any way."

"Uuuuuuugh! Fine, oh man I hope they are ok..." He turned to leave but then turned right back around. "By the way... I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Well... I knocked you over and... Your nose is bleeding."

She reached up once again, and once again, her nose was bleeding.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh! Not again, you stupid little...!

"It's... It's fine... Just go."

But he was already gone, as if fleeing from Jennifer like she was going to attack him. She sighed to herself, and began to walk again to her destination, trying to think positive despite the incident.

When she got to the archway, she looked up at it. She figured that would be the perfect place to wait, she'd be able to see Isaac from a mile away and nobody would bother her. She bounced up top easily, and sat down, her feat dangling over the edge.

I'm here Isaac. Come home soon, come back to me.